Rethinking the Increase of Attracting International Students, Based on the Analysis of the Viewpoints of Higher Education Experts and Students

Today, universities are increasingly adopting the strategy of internationalization to gain a competitive advantage in national and international markets. Therefore, attracting and enrolling international students is crucial as the primary option for the internationalization of universities. This article aims to analyze the expectations of international students towards the university and the viewpoints of higher education experts regarding the requirements for attracting international students.

The research was applied in terms of purpose, employing a qualitative method. The participants in the research consisted of: (a) 18 international students studying in public universities and (b) 13 experts in higher education with experience in the field of internationalization of higher education. Data collection was conducted through in-depth and semi-structured interviews. The gathered data and information were analyzed using NVivo and SPSS software.

The findings revealed that the expectations of international students from their university could be categorized into three groups: (a) teaching-learning, (b) administrative and support services, and (c) cultural guidance and counseling. The requirements for attracting international students could be categorized into two groups: (a) laws and regulations, macro policies of higher education, and (b) universities and higher education institutions.

The article analyzed the views of stakeholders and experts, providing a valuable opportunity for reconsidering the increase in attracting international students. Based on the findings, recommendations were made.